The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-13

any effort to reduce the price of these neeessares
would not only release them from the increased
cost caused by the tariff on such material, but the
manufactured product being thus cheapened that
part of the tariff now laid upon such products as
compensation TO our manufacturers for the present
price of material could be accordingly modified.
Such reductions, or free importations, would serve
beside to largely reduce the revenue. 1t is not APP
parent how such change can have any injurious
effect upon manufacturers; on the contrary it
would appear to give them better chance in for
egn markets with the manufacturers of other cour-
tres who cheaper their wares by free material
Thus, our people might have the opportunity of
consumption--save them from the depression, in
terruption in business and loss caused by glutted
domestic market and aiording their employees more
certain and steady labor, with its resulting quiet
and contentment. The question thus imperatively
presented for solution should be approached in a
spirit higher than party anxiety and considered in
the light of that regard for. patriotic duty which
should characterize the action of those interested
with the veal of a confidng people
But the obligation TO declared party policy and
principle is not wanting to urge prompt and effec-
tive action. Both of the great political parties now
represented in the government have, by repeated
and authoritative declaration, condemned the con
dition of our laws, which permit wrongs upon the
people of unnecessary revenue and have in the most
solemn manner promised its correction-and
neither as citizens nor partisans of our country,
made move to condone the deliberate violation of
our progress toward a wise conclusion will not be
improved by dwelling on theoriesof protection and
free trade. lTh1s savors too much of bandying
epithets it is condition which confronts us, not
theory The relief from this condition may i'm
we award our home production but the enti.e
withdrawal of such advantage should not be con-
tenplated The question of free trade is absolute
ly irrelevant and the persistent claim made in Ger
tain quarters that all efforts to relieve the people
from uni ust and unnecessary taxation are schemes
OF Socalled freetraderS Is nlschieyous and far re-
moved from any consideration for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe the people
is to reduce taxation to the necessary expenses of
an economical opcr ltion of the government and to
restore to the business of the country the money
which we hold in the treasury through the peryer-
nf GOV hpg cQat1 ND
should be done with safety TO all industries, without
danger to the opportunity for remunerative labor,
them and all cur people by cheapening their means
of subsistence and increasing the measure of their
comforts
The constitution provides that the president
"shall, from time to time give TO the congress in
formation of the state of the union" 1t has been
the custom of the executive in compliance with
this provision, to annually exhibit to the congress
at the opening OF its session. the general condition
OF the country and to detail with some particularly
the operations of the different executive depart
ments. 1t would be especially agreeable to follow
to the valuable accomplishments of these
departments during the last =, fiscal year,
importance ofthe subject to which this communca-
ton has thus far been devoted that l shall forego
the addition OF any other topic, and only urge upon
your immediate consideration to the estate of the
Union,' as shown in the present condition of our
treasury and our general fiscal situation, upon
which every element of our safety and prosperity
The reports of the heads of the departments,
which viii be submitted contain full and explicit
information touching the transaction of the bust
ness entrusted to them and such recommendations
relative to legislation in the public interest they
deem advisable.
l ask for these reports and recommendations, the
deliberate examination and action of the egisla-
tive branches of tie government.
There are other subjects not embraced in the de-
partmental reports demanding legislative consider
alton and which should be glad to submit. Some
of them, however, have been earnestly presented in
previous messages and to them beg leave to repeat
prior recommendations.
AS the law makes no provisions for any report
from the department of state, brief history of the
transactions of that important department. to 5ether
with other matters which it may hereafter be
deemed essential to commend to the attention of the
congress. may furnish the occasion for future
munCation. GROVER CLEVELAND
Washington, D. c., December6th 1887.